For reasons cultural and bureaucratic, foreign and Chinese children in Beijing generally attend separate schools. Although most public schools in the city enroll foreign students, boast high academic standards and are more affordable than private international schools, many foreign parents are reluctant to send their offspring to these institutions. Conversely, while many rich Chinese parents would happily pay tens of thousands of dollars to place their kids in international schools, most such schools are legally prohibited from admitting Chinese nationals. So it’s mainly foreign kids who attend schools that cost as much as US $22,000 per year.

International School of Beijing-ShunYi (ISB) 北京顺义国际学校

The international School of Beijing is an English-language day school serving over 1,800 students from more than 50 nations, pre-Kindergarden (3/4 years) through grade 12. ISB boasts state-of-the-art facilities and offers special programs in Model United Nations, China studies, performing arts, fine arts and athletics. High school students may choose to study the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Students follow the International Baccalaureate Curriculum Programs (IBPYP, IBMYP and IB Diploma), designed to create independent learners. WAB also provides an extensive range of extra-curricular activities throughout the week and community sports each weekend.

BISS is an independent, co-educational day school, which offers an English language international curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 12 Students from the expatriate community. Founded in 1994, BISS has approximately 400 students from 45 different nationalities. BISS is the 1st school in Beijing authorized to teach the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) for Kindergarten to Grade 6 & 10 and the IB Diploma for Grade 11 & 12. A wide range of after-school activities include cultural experiences, music, arts and crafts, drama, sports and the school student newspaper. The school also organizes an Activity Week programme, sports day, science fairs and the United Nations Day celebrations.

The British School of Beijing 北京英国学校First School in Beijing to offer the English National Curriculum to children aged 2-11 years. The new Secondary School opened in August 2005, providing continued British education for 11-14 year olds. BSB is full staffed by British trained and experienced teachers and is committed to small class sizes.Tuition (Annual, No Capital Levy Charged):

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) is non-denominational, co-educational school which will provide an international education in China for expatriate children aged 12 months to 18 years. DCB represents Dulwich College London, a 400 year old school that is one of the most prestigious independent schools in the UK. DCB has three Montessori kindergartens in partnership with MSB in Beijing and has a sister school in Shanghai.

AISB is the first and the only school in Beijing Offering a genuine Australian Outcome-Based Curriculum. The program places emphasis on what skills are learnt through an inquiry based model of education. The curriculum encourages a developmental and integrated approach to learning. AISB is committed to offering the best Primary School program. The campus facilities include a gymnasium, 4 basket ball courts, 2 tennis courts, a 400-meter professional running track, a football/soccer oval and a Performing Arts Center.

Beijing City International School is an independent, co-educational day school offering an international curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. It is opening its elementary section offering Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes, and higher grade levels will subsequently be added in the following years. BCIS is a prospective member of the European Council of International School (ECIS) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The school is located in the heart of the city and is close to the diplomatic compounds, as well as accessible to various expatriate residential developments along the airport expressway.

IAB provides an American core curriculum including Bible/character training, with the following extras in the regular program: Mandarin Chinese, ESL, SRA reading laboratory, computers, art, ballet, Taekwondo, vocals and instrumental music, etc. There are also tutorial services available after school. The 22 acre campus includes a stable with more than 10 thoroughbred horses, which can be ridden by IAB students in an after school English riding program. Enrichment Week provides opportunities for IAB students in upper grades to travel to other parts of China to investigate the historic, cultural, and geological aspects of various regions. Throughout the academic school year, other field trips are made within the Beijing area. In addition, the students also engage in benevolent outreaches and special projects.

YCIS Beijing provides international, bilingual education to the expatriate community. From early childhood (two years old) to graduation, YCIS Beijing offers a research based international curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England from K2 to Y11. In Year 12 and 13 students take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. YCIS Beijing strongly emphasizes the importance of learning Chinese language and culture at all levels and graduates are fluent in at least two languages (English and Mandarin).

The Lycee Francais is an international establishment following the French national curriculum allowing for easy transfer between French Schools all over the world. The school caters to ages 2-18. A wide range of modern educational facilities is available including libraries, internet access and physics and biology laboratories. Extra-curricular activities include art, soccer, chess, embroidery, music, basketball, volleyball and Wushu.

Affiliated with: the National Association of French Foreign Establishment

The school offers classes from kindergarten to grade 13 and the German "Abitur" examination which gives access to university. Classes follow German curricula and are taught by German teachers. Foreign languages taught include English, Chinese and French.

Consisted of primary school and high school, the school usually admits only Japanese citizens although exceptions are sometimes made for children who pass the entrance exam. Classes are taught in Japanese.

Address: 6 Jiang Tai xi Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 北京市朝阳区将台路6号

Tel: 6436-3074 / 6436-3250(Inquiry)

Swedish School Beijing 北京瑞典小学

Instruction is in Swedish and covers from 3 years old up to Grade 6. The curriculum is based on the Swedish baccalaureate system. Supporting the teaching of Scandinavian culture and language in general and Swedish culture and language in particular, the school was established for Swedish families but it also serves the Norwegian, Danish and Finnish ex-patriot communities as well, in order to support their children's continued connection with their native language and customs.

The Pakistan College of Beijing was founded in 1969 and has continued to grow within the walls of the Pakistan Embassy. Students from K to Grade 12 are taught in English, except Urdu and Islamic education, which are reserved for Pakistani pupils. Pakistan College Beijing includes students from 45 countries. The coursework follows the prescribed curriculum of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Islamabad.

Founded in 1968, this primary school is comprised of two kindergartens and elementary grades 1-4. The student population is 100 children from 24 countries. Classes are taught in English. There is a waiting list for some classes. English and math tests are given before placement in grades 1-4. The school closely follows the Indian Central School Board curriculum. The social studies syllabus is modified to maintain the international character of the school.

Fangcaodi is a state-run primary school that has been accepting foreign students for over 40 years. Classes are in Chinese. The uses the same textbooks as other Chinese schools in the municipality and places a strong emphasis on math and Chinese. Fee-based after school activities include badminton, arts, crafts, Wushu and rollerblading.

The New School of Collaborative Learning is a bilingual (English/Chinese) intercultural international school that combines American and Chinese teaching methodologies. Its academic curriculum was designed in collaboration with distinguished educators from Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. Small classes, individualized instruction, focused on encouraging lifetime habits of self-motivated learning. A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available, including student government, yearbook, sports, languages, drama, filmmaking and dance. Facilities include a media center/library, theater, computer lab, athletic field and track and basketball courts.

Number 55 Middle School is located in a small Hutong opposite the Beijing Asia Hotel near Worker’s Stadium. The school has a separate section for over 300 foreign students in grades 7-12 with class sizes of 10-25. The school has a playing field and gym. There are boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. This is a school for families with children who are determined to leave China fluent in Chinese.The school offers International Baccalaureate classes in English, Chinese, math, geography, physics, and a few other subjects. Students who graduate from the full program and pass the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Language Level Test) may be admitted to Chinese universities as regular students. Self-study credit can be arranged through the University of Nebraska, although the student is on his/her own to take the course and pass the exams. A school bus is available from certain areas of town including the Asian Games Village, the Lido/Lufthansa area, and the Jianguomen area.

For over thirteen year MSB has focused on a strong academic grounding, while encouraging the development of your child as a responsible, resourceful, confident person who is well equipped for life. We recognize that each child has individual learning needs; therefore our students have a unique opportunity to be the best they can be in their formative years.

International ProgramThe Ivy Academy is a Multiple Intelligences (MI) Pre-School for children ages 2 to 6. Created in collaboration with Harvard Graduate School of Education researchers, lead teachers are also graduates of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and other top universities. In the classroom, this translates to customized activities for each child based on his or her personal profile as determined by teacher observations and assessments.

Bilingual ProgramClasses are taught in both English and Chinese in a Multiple Intelligence environment, in a preparation for your children to be able to transition to a Chinese elementary school upon graduation from the program.

Canadian International School of BeijingThe Canadian International School of Beijing (CIS) was founded during the fall of 2005. It was with the strong support of the Chinese Government, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Canadian Government that the official establishment of CIS was made into a State Level Project.On September 2006, CIS officially opened its doors to welcome parents and students from all over the world. CIS currently has students representing over 30 countries and this number is growing ever so quickly as our enrollment increases. CIS operates under the strict guidance and oversight of the Ministry of Education in Canada. The founding organization of CIS has a long and successful history of operating schools in China. Currently, the organization has three other schools in China, including one International School in Shenzhen, and two schools delivering the Canadian Curriculum to Chinese Nationals in both Beijing and Shenzhen.CIS offers a world-class facility with an internationally recognized Canadian education curriculum. The grade levels at CIS ranges from Montessori to Grade 12 with a maximum capacity of 1700 students.

The internationally qualified Oxford Baby Bilingual Kindergarten is organized and invested in by Silo 9 China Baby Education Limited. The schools of the kindergarten include the An Hui, Hui Zhong, Nan Xin, SOHO City and Olympics Garden kindergartens in Beijing, Lantingshanshui & amp; Qinyunlinhai in Dalian city. All are centrally administered by the Beijing Oxford Baby Bilingual Kindergarten Education Development Center. It covers approximate 20000 square meters, which can provide accommodation for 1000 children. At the moment there are 300 employees and many foreign teachers.

Eton International School offers enriched Montessori curricula for all children ages 1 through 9. A member o the American Montessori Society, Eton offers community centered American style early education in world-class learning environments. Eton’s caring and certified Montessori instructors come from throughout the English speaking world and Eton’s 5 Beijing locations offer convenience for working parents.

Beanstalk International Kindergarten 青苗国际学校Established in 1993, the Beanstalk International School currently offers an international curriculum and extensive activities for students from pre-school through grade six. The mission is to instill students with high academic, behavioral and social standards while empowering them to become fully bilingual, multi-cultural global citizens equipped with the knowledge and integrity to function successfully in the 21st century.

The Children’s house has two facilities, at the China World Trade Center (Guomao subway station), and the Kempinski/Lufthansa Center. An International Montessori Kindergarten with English instruction for children age 1-6. After School Ballet, English, Music, Chinese and Kungfu Classes available.

In 2005, some 40,000 international students – a number that is increasing by 5,000 per year according to the Straits Times – were in Beijing to study what is quickly becoming the world’s new must-speak language.Most students of Putonghua join programmes offered at Beijing’s 70-plus universities, but an increasing number enroll in private schools or hire a tutor.What opinion is right for you? The majority of those selecting private study have jobs or occupations that prevent them from becoming full time students. A vocal minority, however, choose private programmes because, they argue, while universities provide a good base for language study, they suffer from outdated textbooks, tired teachers and large classes. At the very least, if you’re looking for more than a primer for the HSK exam or a record of attendance, you should consider looking outside the hallowed gates of Beijing’s Universities.

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Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) 北京语言文化大学 (北京语言学院)

Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is the only one of its kind in China with its main task set at teaching the Chinese language and culture to foreign students. As an international University, BLCU has carried on for more than 40 years its consistent aim of “popularizing Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture.” Generations of faculties have been working hard and thus have turned BLCU into an international center for teaching Chinese as a foreign language and a training base for personnel engaged in or concerned with foreign affairs.

Regarded as the MIT of China, Tsinghua is one the most prestigious universities in China. Famous alums include President Hu Jintao, ex-Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ningyang. It offers several Chinese language programmes that include numerous electives.

The Bridge School specializes in teaching busy adult foreigners Chinese for over 12 years. And it has a reputation of being the best Chinese language school in Beijing, voted by the readers of “City weekend”.

Berlitz 贝立兹语言培训有限公司One-on-One classes cost RMB 150 per 45-minute session, and students sign on for 30 classes. Classes of four or more students cost RMB 50 per 45-minute session, and students sign on for 60 classes.